TI Solomons critical of plan to re-arm police

Transparency Solomon Islands and other NGOs have criticised the government's decision to re-arm the police in the face of increasing poverty in the country.

Civil society groups met yesterday to discuss four issues of concern to them which also included the appointment of both Julian Moti as attorney general and of the new police commissioner, Jahir Khan of Fiji.

The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare declined the invitation to attend saying the government has the constitutional prerogative to decide on such matters and no amount of consultation with the groups would make that point any clearer

The Executive Officer of Transparency Solomon Islands, Joses Tuhanuku, says the meeting was helpful in airing their views particularly over the government's current priorities.

"The rearmement is something that we just find ridiculous that this government puts it as its priority because we feel that Solomon Islands, the level of poverty has increased in the last ten years. What we should be talking about is looking at job opportunities, investment and so on. So many poor people in Honiara right now."